JP2014054740A - Marking device on electric wire and method of producing electric wire - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress rapid concentration change in ink concentration in an ink container during replenishment of the ink container with ink or solvent.SOLUTION: The marking device on electric wire is so configured that a printing roller is replenished with ink in the ink container, and then the ink is transferred onto the surface of an electric wire to make a print. The side surface part of the ink container comprises a replenishment part on which is arranged a replenishing port for replenishment with ink or solvent. At the bottom part the partition wall which partitions the inner section of replenishment part from the inner section of the ink container, is arranged a gap for supplying the ink container with ink or solvent replenished into the replenishment part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric wire marking device and an electric wire manufacturing method.

  As a process of manufacturing electric wires such as power cables and communication cables, the ink stored in the ink container is supplied to the printing roller, and then pressed against the electric wire being conveyed while rotating the printing roller. There are cases where a step of continuously printing (marking) predetermined characters and marks on the surface. Ink replenishment during printing has been performed by supplying ink and solvent into the ink container via a replenishing port provided on the top or side of the ink container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-332820 A

  However, when ink or a solvent is replenished in the ink container by the above-described method, the ink density in the ink container changes abruptly, the print density or the like may change greatly, or bleeding or chipping may occur. there were.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire marking device and an electric wire manufacturing method capable of suppressing an abrupt change in ink concentration in an ink container when ink or a solvent is replenished in the ink container. is there.

The first aspect of the present invention is:
An electric wire marking device configured to perform printing by transferring the ink in an ink container to a printing roller and then transferring it to the surface of the electric wire,
A side surface portion of the ink container is provided with a replenishing portion having a replenishing port for replenishing ink or solvent,
The electric wire marking device is provided with a gap for supplying the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing part into the ink container at a lower part of the partition wall that separates the replenishing part and the ink container.

The second aspect of the present invention is:
The wire gap marking device according to the first aspect, wherein the gap is configured to reduce a diffusion rate of ink or a solvent replenished in the replenishing portion into the ink container.

The third aspect of the present invention is:
A method of manufacturing an electric wire, in which ink in an ink container is supplied to a printing roller and then transferred to the surface of the electric wire for printing.
The step of applying the printing includes
Replenishing ink or solvent from a replenishing port provided in a replenishing unit provided on a side surface of the ink container;
Supplying the ink or the solvent replenished in the replenishing part into the ink container through a gap provided in a lower part of a partition that separates the replenishing part and the ink container. Is the method.

  According to the electric wire marking device and the electric wire manufacturing method of the present invention, when ink or a solvent is replenished in the ink container, it is possible to suppress a rapid change in the ink concentration in the ink container.

It is side surface sectional drawing of the marking device of the electric wire which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is front sectional drawing of the marking device of the electric wire which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the elements on larger scale around the replenishment part with which the marking device of the electric wire concerning one embodiment of the present invention is provided. (A) shows the cross-sectional block diagram of an electric wire, (b) shows the side view.

<One Embodiment of the Present Invention>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Marking Device First, the configuration of the marking device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a marking device 10 for an electric wire 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the marking device 10 for the electric wire 100 according to the present embodiment, and is a view seen from the direction A in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the replenishment unit 7 provided in the marking device 10 for the electric wire 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the marking device 10 includes a box-shaped ink container 3. The ink container 3 is configured to store an ink liquid 9 prepared to have a predetermined concentration and a predetermined viscosity. The ink liquid 9 is obtained by diluting the ink with a solvent. As the ink, an organic liquid paint obtained by dissolving a predetermined paint (organic resin) with an organic solvent such as toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, or methyl isobutylene ketone can be used. Further, as a solvent for diluting the ink, for example, an organic solvent mainly composed of cyclohexane or the like can be used.

  The marking device 10 includes a guide roller 6a, a printing roller 6b, and an ink winding roller 6c that are configured to be rotatable.

  Among these rollers, the printing roller 6b and the ink winding roller 6c are in contact with each other at the rotating part (cylindrical side part), and are configured such that the rotation directions are opposite to each other. At least the lower part of the ink winding roller 6 c is configured to be immersed in the ink liquid 9 stored in the ink container 3. By rotating the ink winding roller 6c to wind up the ink liquid 9, the ink liquid 9 can be supplied to the rotating portion of the printing roller 6b. An abutting member 6d is provided around the printing roller 6b to prevent the ink liquid 9 from scattering from the printing roller 6b and to wipe off the excessive ink liquid 9 adhering to the printing roller 6b. It is configured.

  The guide roller 6a and the printing roller 6b are opposed to each other with the electric wire 100 to be printed interposed therebetween, and are configured such that the rotation directions are opposite to each other. While the electric wire 100 is held between the guide roller 6a and the printing roller 6b, the ink liquid 9 supplied to the printing roller 6b is conveyed by conveying the electric wire 100 while rotating the guide roller 6a, the printing roller 6b, and the ink winding roller 6c. Is transferred to the surface of the electric wire 100, and predetermined characters or marks can be continuously printed (marked) on the surface of the electric wire 100. In addition, the electric wire 100 is provided with the electroconductive part 100a comprised from copper etc. and the insulation coating layer 100b which coat | covers the outer periphery of the electroconductive part 100a so that it may illustrate in FIG. The insulating coating layer 100b to be printed is made of a flexible insulating material such as crosslinked polyethylene.

  The ink liquid 9 stored in the ink container 3 is consumed as the printing process proceeds. Therefore, a replenishment section 7 for replenishing ink and solvent in the ink container 3 is provided on the side wall of the ink container 3. The upper part of the replenishing part 7 is open and is configured as a replenishing port 4. A downstream end of the ink supply pipe 11 and a downstream end of the solvent supply pipe 12 are inserted into the replenishing port 4. The ink supply pipe 11 is provided with an ink tank 11t and a pump 11p in order from the upstream side. The solvent supply pipe 12 is provided with a solvent tank 12t and a pump 12p in order from the upstream side. The pumps 11p and 12p are connected to a controller 19 which will be described later, and their operations are controlled.

  In the ink container 3, a liquid level sensor 19 a for detecting the height of the liquid level 9 a of the stored ink liquid 9 (that is, the remaining amount of the ink liquid 9), and the concentration (or viscosity) of the ink liquid 9 are set. A concentration sensor (or viscosity sensor) 19b for detection is provided. The liquid level sensor 19a and the concentration sensor 19b are each connected to the controller 19. The controller 19 is configured to operate the pump 11p and the pump 12p in accordance with detection signals received from the liquid level sensor 19a and the concentration sensor 19b, and to replenish ink and solvent in the replenishing unit 7 at a predetermined timing. Yes. This operation will be described later.

  As shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 3, the interior of the replenishing unit 7 and the ink container 3 are separated by a partition wall 5. A gap 8 for supplying the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing unit 7 into the ink container 3 is provided below the partition wall 5. The width of the gap 8 is narrow so as to reduce the diffusion rate of the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing section 7 into the ink container 3. That is, it is configured to reduce the diffusion speed (moving flow rate per unit time) of the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing unit 7 into the ink container 3. As a result, the increasing speed or decreasing speed of the concentration of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 can be maintained within a predetermined range. That is, when the ink container 3 is replenished with ink or a solvent, a rapid change in the ink density in the ink container 3 can be suppressed. The partition wall 5 constituting the gap 8 can also be considered as a flow rate control plate for limiting the diffusion rate of ink or solvent from the replenishing unit 7 into the ink container 3.

  In addition, by providing the gap 8 below the partition wall 5, the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing portion 7 can be efficiently replenished into the ink container 3. The size and shape of the gap 8 depends on the volume of the ink container 3, the volume of the replenishing unit 7, the composition of the ink, the consumption speed, and the like. For example, the gap 8 has a slit shape having a height of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably about 2 mm. it can.

(2) Printing process on electric wire surface Next, the printing process (marking process) on the electric wire 100 surface according to the present embodiment will be described. This process is performed using the above-described marking device 10 as a process of manufacturing the electric wire 100. The operation of each part of the marking device 10 is controlled by the controller 19 described above.

  First, a predetermined concentration (viscosity) and a predetermined amount of ink liquid 9 are stored in the ink container 3. At this time, at least the lower part of the ink winding roller 6 c is immersed in the ink liquid 9 stored in the ink container 3. Further, the electric wire 100 to be printed is sandwiched between the guide roller 6a and the printing roller 6b. Thereafter, the ink winding roller 6c, the printing roller 6b, and the guide roller 6a are rotated to convey the electric wire 100. As a result, the ink liquid 9 is transferred from the printing roller 6b to the electric wire 100, and predetermined characters, marks, and the like are continuously printed (marked) on the surface of the electric wire 100.

  When printing is continued, the ink liquid 9 stored in the ink container 3 gradually decreases, and the liquid level 9a of the ink liquid 9 gradually decreases. When the controller 19 receives the detection signal from the liquid level sensor 19a at a predetermined timing and determines that “replenishment is required” by falling below a predetermined threshold value, the controller 19 operates the pump 11p and the pump 12p, A predetermined amount of ink and solvent are replenished respectively.

  The ink and solvent replenished in the replenishing unit 7 are supplied and mixed into the ink container 3 through a gap 8 provided at the lower part of the partition wall 5 that separates the replenishing unit 7 and the ink container 3. . As described above, the gap 8 is configured to reduce the diffusion rate of the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing unit 7 into the ink container 3. Thereby, a rapid density change of the ink density in the ink container 3 is suppressed. As a result, the print density of characters and marks printed on the electric wire 100 can be kept uniform, and the occurrence of bleeding and chipping can be suppressed.

  Note that when the ink is replenished, the concentration of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 may change. Also, the concentration of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 may change due to the solvent volatilizing in the ink container 3 or the like. When the controller 19 receives the detection signal from the concentration sensor 19b at a predetermined timing and determines that “the concentration needs to be adjusted” by falling below a predetermined threshold value, the controller 19 operates the pump 11p or the pump 12p, and at a predetermined timing. Ink or solvent is replenished in the replenishing unit 7. For example, the controller 19 increases the amount of ink supplied when the detected concentration of the ink liquid 9 is low, and increases the amount of solvent supplied when the concentration of the ink liquid 9 is high. The operations of 11p and 12p are controlled. At this time, both ink and solvent may be replenished.

  The ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing unit 7 is supplied into the ink container 3 through the gap 8, so that the concentration of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 is adjusted to an appropriate concentration. As a result, the printing quality on the electric wire 100 can be maintained within a certain range. Also at this time, a rapid change in the concentration of ink in the ink container 3 is suppressed. As a result, the continuity of the print density of characters and marks printed on the electric wire 100 can be ensured (abrupt density change can be avoided).

(3) Effects according to the present embodiment According to the present embodiment, the following one or more effects are achieved.

  According to this embodiment, when the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 is reduced, the replenishment can be automatically performed. Thereby, printing on the electric wire 100 can be performed continuously and stably, and the productivity of the electric wire 100 can be improved.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when ink or a solvent is replenished in the ink container 3, it is possible to suppress a rapid density change of the ink concentration of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3. Thereby, the printing quality to the electric wire 100 can be maintained for a long time, and the productivity of the electric wire 100 can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the concentration of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 changes, the concentration can be automatically adjusted. Thereby, the printing quality to the electric wire 100 can be maintained within a certain range. In addition, when adjusting the density, it is possible to suppress a sudden change in the ink density, and thus it is possible to ensure continuity of the print density (avoid abrupt changes in density).

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by providing the gap 8 below the partition wall 5, the ink or solvent replenished in the replenishing unit 7 is efficiently supplied into the ink container 3 (without remaining). As a result, waste of ink and solvent can be prevented and printing cost can be reduced.

<Other Embodiments of the Present Invention>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described concretely, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, It can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gap 8 has a slit shape, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. That is, any shape may be used as long as the flow rate of the ink and the solvent from the replenishing unit 7 into the ink container 3 can be controlled within a predetermined range, for example, a lattice shape or a porous shape. It may be.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the ink liquid 9 is supplied to the printing roller 6b using the ink winding roller 6c, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the lower part of the printing roller 6b may be directly immersed in the ink liquid 9 without providing the ink winding roller 6c. Further, another ink supply mechanism that replaces the ink winding roller 6c may be newly provided.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ink liquid 9 is replenished into the ink container 3 and the concentration adjustment of the ink liquid 9 in the ink container 3 is automatically performed under the control of the controller 19. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. That is, when the operator who has received the detection signal from the liquid level sensor 19a or the concentration sensor 19b determines that “replenishment is necessary” or “density adjustment is necessary” because it falls below a predetermined threshold, the ink liquid 9 Replenishment and density adjustment may be performed manually. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress a rapid density change of the ink density in the ink container 3.

  Further, for example, the present invention is not limited to printing on the electric wire 100 provided with the conductive portion 100a, and is continuously printed on an optical fiber cable having a non-conductive core or other long member. The present invention can also be suitably applied to the case where

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Ink container 4 Replenishment port 5 Bulkhead 6b Printing roller 7 Replenishment part 8 Gap 10 Marking apparatus 100 Electric wire

Claims (3)

An electric wire marking device configured to perform printing by transferring the ink in an ink container to a printing roller and then transferring it to the surface of the electric wire,
A side surface portion of the ink container is provided with a replenishing portion having a replenishing port for replenishing ink or solvent,
An electric wire marking, wherein a gap for supplying ink or a solvent replenished in the replenishing part into the ink container is provided at a lower part of the partition wall that separates the replenishing part and the ink container. apparatus. 2. The electric wire marking device according to claim 1, wherein the gap is configured to reduce a diffusion rate of ink or a solvent replenished in the replenishing portion into the ink container. A method of manufacturing an electric wire, in which ink in an ink container is supplied to a printing roller and then transferred to the surface of the electric wire for printing.
Replenishing ink or solvent from a replenishing port provided in a replenishing unit provided on a side surface of the ink container;
Supplying the ink or the solvent replenished in the replenishing part into the ink container through a gap provided at a lower part of a partition that separates the replenishing part and the ink container. A method for manufacturing an electric wire.

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